Our Team - Product and Sales Managers

Mike Ford - Baseball and Softball

Mike joined Ransome Sporting Goods in 2007 after a background of working in a sports retail environment. Mike is the specialist baseball and softball sales manager, having played the sports extensively in this university days. Since then his knowledge has been strengthened by working closely with the Louisville Slugger and Baden brands. He has been responsible for the development of the Bronx brand and the unique Fastball range.

Mike's experience in the sport has developed further after working for several years for the company with the national governing body, Baseball & Softball UK as well as many members of the baseball and softball community. Part of Mike's role is to attend baseball and softball events representing the Louisville Slugger and Baden brands.

Laura Hall - Racket Sports

Laura joined Ransome Sporting Goods in 1983 when she was the North East's leading lady squash player. Since then she has developed her knowledge of squash further, being a leading coach in the region and working inside the regional governing body.

She has been instrumental in establishing the Unsquashable Squash and Talbot Torro Badminton brands as well as being responsible for the development of the Ransome brand products for tennis and racketball. This includes working with England Squash with the introduction of the Unsquashable Mini Squash programme and the portable squash wall. Laura also worked very closely with Derek Talbot in the establishment of the Talbot Torro badminton range.

Dave Cochrane - Table Tennis

Dave joined the company in August 2014 and has a great deal of management experience in the retail sector. He is an International Table Tennis Umpire, National Table Tennis Referee and National Table Tennis Tournament Organiser.

In 2017 He became a Technical Delegate (Competition Manager) with the International Para Table Tennis Committee managing international events abroad.

Dave works extensively with British Para Table Tennis as Chair of competitions and National Championships organiser as well as being the recent Special Olympics Summer Games Table Tennis Competition Manager at Sheffield.

Dave has officiated at various World championships, European championships, London 2012 Paralympics and numerous national and regional events.

Craig Millward – Fitness

Craig Millward joined the company in November 2014 having come from an extensive retail background in management. Gaining over 10 years in customer service as well as over-seeing the general running of retail outlets.

Craig’s background on a personal level, as opposed to his work experience, has been heavily involved in sport throughout his life. From his early days as a YTS at a North East Football Club, to being an active health and gym regular for many years he has the experience as well as the general accuman from both a professional and personal level. Craig has been responsible for establishing the Schildkrot Fitness range of equipment and expanding the Sure Shot range of mats.